| Author | Message | ||
     Edmsportster |
Ok LOVING my new Buell; Couple questions.. I am coming from a Sportster so on a big learning curve here... When riding around town (50-70 KPH..30-45 MPH)What RPM is best to tool around on? My bike seems very ROUGH under 3000 RPM is this normal. Idles at around 975-1000 which is low according to the manual... | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
I stay at 3000+ always. You may want to crank your idle up to 1000-1100. good luck, jason | ||
| Dagwood |
Yes. The idle is too low. If it's rough under 3k I would guess that you have the race kit or Jardine can on. They both focus more on the top end. My D&D likes to run in the midrange (4k-5.5k). You'll likely get some pops when downshifting, no worries though...it's normal (plus it adds to the hotrod sound of the Buells IMO). I too am a crossover from a Sporty (02 883). No comparison. The Thunderstorm heads on the Buell make it feel VERY different from the Harley. *PS Welcome to the madness! (Message edited by dagwood on August 22, 2005) | ||
| Captjim |
The idle adjustment is between the engine and the air scoop in front. You could bring it up a tad as stated, it will improve performance. My bike was a little rough at low RPM's at first as well. Seems that with more miles it gets smoother all the time. How many miles do you have? The 1000 mile service will adjust the primary chain and TPS two things that can effect low RPM performance. I really just recommend keeping RPM at 6000 all the time, It sure is fun  | ||
| Edmsportster |
Thanks for the quick responses guys. Only had it for 2 days, at 900KMS (600 miles?) Yes race kit installed.. Ok that puts me a lot at ease, Just not used to revving so high lol. So running at 4000 or more is not a problem? Would I be correct in assumming that 2000RPM is lugging? First service coming soon so I am hoping that will smooth it out a bit too | ||
| M1combat |
Fill out your profile... Nine or twelve? My twelve seems fine between 2K and 3K for cruising around. If I'm that low and need to roll on I'll drop a gear. I hear the nine likes to be about 500 RPM higher than that. | ||
| Edmsportster |
M1 I was gonna change my username and then fill out my profile cause I didnt have a Buell and was lurking for the past while...I was looking and can't just change my name so I am making a new profile as we "speak" I have a 2004 XB12S | ||
| Edmbueller |
Ok its me guys this is my new profile! | ||
| Nevar |
I also stay at 3000+ RPM all the time on my 03 XB9S. I think that anything lower is lugging the engine too much (not a good thing!) and this is especially true in the higher gears. Tim | ||
| 45_degrees |
Maybe my 9 is stronger than usual, but I can ride at 2000 rpm in fifth with no lugging and accelerate just fine from 2000 with no bucking or roughness. I'm also at 4,600 ft. elevation. It also runs a lot cooler for me when I keep the revs down in the city. | ||
| Edmbueller |
Just gonna take some getting used to revvin so high all the time  | ||
| Skyguy |
EDM you are likely going to develop another problem soon (trying to ride under 3,000 rpm) LOL! Good luck, keep the rubber side down! | ||
| Tunes |
Edm - Yet another Sportster/HD convert here. Boy are these bikes different than HD's... and I went to a '99 S3 first (and still own). I have an '04 XB12S also. Keeping the "revs" up takes a bit of concentration. You will get the hang of it and find your "throttle hand" in due time. Ya, the idle. My bike idled low also... even before I installed the Race Kit. Just like everyone else has said, turn the idle up to a minimum of 1K rpm. Also, my XB's idle doesn't change after it has warmed up, so I can adjust the idle when cold. Something new for me also... | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I've got a 9R with a Special Ops. I putt around at about 2500-3500 rpm. I like the sound at that range and the motor seems to like it too.  Props to Odie  | ||
| Cyclonemaniac |
I ride an M2 with X1 cams, Screamin Eagle Hi-perf valve springs and keepers, Buell race header, air breather and a muffler of my own design. My bike idles at 1000-1050 and while I can easily lug away from anything above 1500 rpm, I've found 3K to be a crusin sweet spot too. Keep in mind too that Buells don't have as much flywheel mass as stock HD Sportster engines have, so a few more remmies go a long way toward keeping your baby smooooth!  | ||
| Opto |
Keep it over 3k, at least til it's run in. You'll soon get used to the higher revs, the XB's also enjoy a good floggin just like the Sporty's, only moreso. | ||
| Nevar |
I also find that 3000-3500 RPM is a very sweet cruising RPM for my 03 XB9S, the motor is very smooth and responsive here. Tim | ||
| Roly |
hi i have a city x ,i travel 20 miles to work daily , 4000 revs its kicking. 3500 to 6000 rpm nice and sweet sounding. 1000 to 2500 lumpy, 3000rpm ok . if the fans running when i switch off i know that i been riding it . |
